Carriage Village

Welcome, Floridians, to an in-depth look at Carriage Village, a distinguished 55+ mobile home community nestled in the serene yet accessible area of North Fort Myers. For many across our beautiful state, particularly those in their active adult years, manufactured home communities offer a unique blend of affordability, community spirit, and a lifestyle tailored to comfort and engagement. Carriage Village stands out as a prime example of such a community, fostering a truly welcoming environment where neighbors become friends.

A mobile home park, or manufactured home community, provides a unique housing solution where residents typically own their homes and lease the land, often benefiting from lower property taxes and a strong sense of community. Carriage Village is specifically designed as a 55+ active adult community, meaning it caters to individuals seeking a vibrant, amenity-rich environment in their retirement or pre-retirement years. This age restriction helps create a cohesive and like-minded resident base, enhancing the overall community experience.

Our aim in this article is to provide a clear, factual, and engaging overview of Carriage Village. We understand that as local users in Florida, especially those considering a move or a new phase of life, you seek transparent information to help you make informed decisions. We will explore its strategic location in North Fort Myers, detailing its accessibility to local attractions and amenities. We'll also highlight the comprehensive services and features it offers, drawing from both publicly available data and positive resident testimonials. Ultimately, we will discuss why Carriage Village is a highly suitable choice for locals, emphasizing its friendly atmosphere and the fulfilling lifestyle it promises.

Carriage Village is ideally situated at 5451 Bayshore Rd, Fort Myers, FL 33917, USA. This address places it in North Fort Myers, a desirable area of Southwest Florida, renowned for its blend of natural beauty, recreational opportunities, and urban conveniences. The community's location offers residents excellent accessibility to key attractions and services, ensuring a convenient and enjoyable lifestyle.

The park's position on Bayshore Road provides straightforward access to major transportation arteries in the region. It is conveniently located minutes from downtown Fort Myers' River District, a vibrant hub known for its historic charm, diverse dining options, cultural events, and lively entertainment scene. This proximity means residents can easily partake in city life without lengthy commutes. Furthermore, access to I-75 and US-41 (Tamiami Trail) is relatively simple, facilitating travel throughout Southwest Florida, to other parts of the state, or to nearby airports.

For those who appreciate the outdoors and coastal living, Carriage Village is well-positioned. While not directly on the beach, it's within a reasonable driving distance of Southwest Florida's world-famous beaches, including Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel Island, and Captiva Island. These destinations offer pristine sands, warm Gulf waters, and opportunities for shelling, fishing, and boating. The area also boasts numerous parks and nature preserves, allowing residents to enjoy Florida's unique ecosystems.

Beyond leisure, the community's location ensures practical convenience. Residents have easy access to a variety of shopping centers, grocery stores, healthcare facilities, and other essential services in North Fort Myers. This means daily errands are quick and hassle-free, contributing to a stress-free living experience. The combination of urban amenities, natural attractions, and excellent connectivity makes Carriage Village's location a significant highlight for locals seeking a well-rounded Florida lifestyle.

Carriage Village prides itself on offering a comprehensive suite of services and amenities designed to enhance the living experience for its 55+ residents. While specific details on every service might require direct inquiry, available information and resident feedback paint a picture of a well-managed and active community.

• Land Lot Ownership (HOA Community): Unlike many mobile home parks where residents lease the land, Carriage Village operates as an HOA (Homeowners Association) community where residents own their lots. This provides greater stability and investment in their property. The monthly HOA fee is noted as being just $87.00, which is remarkably low for an HOA, especially given the amenities offered.

• Community Management: The community is self-managed by the Carriage Village Landowners Association, a 55+, not-for-profit entity. It is managed by a 9-member, voluntary elected Board of Directors, operating as an HOA under Florida State Statute 720. This structure often fosters a strong sense of resident involvement and a focus on community needs. Reviews consistently praise the management and residents for being "kind & I made a lot of friends," implying responsive and supportive community governance.

• Clubhouse Facilities: A central clubhouse serves as the heart of the community. This facility often includes common areas for social gatherings, events, and activities. One resident even lived in an apartment above the clubhouse, highlighting its central role.

• Recreational Facilities: Carriage Village offers a range of recreational amenities to keep residents active and engaged. These include a heated community swimming pool, a recreation center, a putting green, shuffleboard courts, horseshoe pits, a billiards room, a hobby room, and a library. These facilities provide ample opportunities for leisure, exercise, and socializing.

• On-Site Storage: A significant convenience is the availability of a storage area for RVs, boats, and other recreational vehicles. This is invaluable for residents who own such vehicles but prefer not to keep them on their individual lots.

• Utility Connections: While residents typically pay for their own utilities (water, sewer, electricity), the community provides the necessary infrastructure for these connections to each home. Information indicates that homes have standard features like peaked roofs and lap siding, suggesting modern manufactured home standards.

• Community Events & Activities: Although not explicitly listed as a "service," the reviews mentioning "always something to do" and an "active" HOA with "many events" imply a robust calendar of social activities, which is a key offering in 55+ communities to promote engagement and well-being.

The cooperative nature and resident-led management suggest a community focused on providing a high quality of life through its shared facilities and services.

Carriage Village boasts an impressive array of features and highlights that make it a highly desirable community for locals in Florida, particularly those aged 55 and over. These elements collectively create a vibrant and fulfilling living environment.

• 55+ Active Adult Community: This is a cornerstone feature of Carriage Village. Being a 55+ community ensures a resident base with similar life stages and interests, fostering a strong sense of camaraderie and shared experiences. It also means the community's amenities and activities are tailored to the active adult lifestyle.

• Resident-Owned Lots & Low HOA Fees: A major highlight is that residents own their lots, eliminating the concerns about fluctuating lot rents common in some other mobile home parks. Coupled with an incredibly low monthly HOA fee of just $87.00, this provides significant financial stability and long-term value for homeowners, making it an attractive and affordable housing option in Southwest Florida.

• Exceptional Community Spirit: Reviews consistently emphasize the "welcoming community," "kind & friendly" management and residents, and a place where "everyone was so nice." This strong, positive social fabric is arguably the community's most valuable feature, ensuring a supportive and engaging environment where "neighbors become friends" and residents feel "blessed to be here."

• Abundant Amenities & Activities: Carriage Village offers a wealth of recreational facilities that provide "always something to do." These include a heated community pool and clubhouse, a recreation center, putting green, shuffleboard courts, horseshoe pits, a billiards room, hobby room, and a library. This extensive range of amenities caters to diverse interests, promoting an active and social lifestyle.

• Convenient Location: Situated in North Fort Myers, the community offers easy access to major highways (I-75, US-41), downtown Fort Myers, and various shopping, dining, and healthcare options. This blend of tranquility within the community and accessibility to urban conveniences is a highly sought-after feature in Florida.

• RV & Boat Storage: The availability of an on-site storage area for RVs and boats is a practical highlight for residents who own recreational vehicles, allowing them to conveniently store their assets without cluttering their homes or incurring off-site storage costs.

• Stable and Well-Maintained Environment: The history of being a "great place to live" under previous ownership and the consistent positive feedback on its current state (with the exception of a temporary management issue) suggest a community that is generally well-kept and maintained. Homes often feature modern designs like peaked roofs and lap siding.

The overarching theme from resident experiences is one of happiness and contentment, with many expressing a desire to remain in or return to the community, highlighting its enduring appeal.

For those interested in exploring the wonderful opportunities at Carriage Village, whether for potential residency or to learn more about this vibrant 55+ community, here is the essential contact information:

Address: 5451 Bayshore Rd, Fort Myers, FL 33917, USA

Phone: (239) 543-2771

Mobile Phone: +1 239-543-2771

Email: carriagevillagenfm@gmail.com

Website: http://www.carriagevillage.org

Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

It is highly recommended to contact the community directly, especially during their stated office hours, to inquire about available mobile homes for sale, lot ownership details, HOA fees, and to confirm the current status of all amenities and community activities. Given the positive feedback on management, reaching out by phone or email should provide a pleasant and informative experience. For a comprehensive understanding, arranging an in-person visit to tour the facilities and experience the community's friendly atmosphere firsthand would be ideal. This will allow prospective residents to engage with current residents and management, getting a true sense of the vibrant lifestyle offered at Carriage Village.

Carriage Village in North Fort Myers stands out as an exceptionally suitable and appealing option for locals in Florida, particularly for active adults aged 55 and over. Its suitability is firmly rooted in its unique community structure, abundant amenities, and the overwhelmingly positive experiences shared by its residents.

Firstly, the core advantage of Carriage Village for locals is its status as a 55+ community where residents own their lots. This model offers significant financial stability and long-term security, freeing residents from the uncertainties of rising lot rents often found in other mobile home parks. The remarkably low HOA fee of just $87.00 per month further enhances this financial appeal, allowing residents to enjoy a resort-like lifestyle without exorbitant costs. For Floridians looking for an affordable yet high-quality retirement or active adult living solution, this aspect alone makes Carriage Village a prime candidate.

Secondly, the vibrant and welcoming community spirit is a profound draw. Residents consistently describe Carriage Village as a "great place to live" where management and fellow residents are "kind & I made a lot of friends." Phrases like "You could not ask for a more welcoming community!" and "Everyone was so nice there" truly underscore the friendly and supportive environment. This strong sense of camaraderie, fostered by an active HOA and numerous social events, is invaluable for locals seeking engagement, companionship, and a genuine feeling of belonging in their new home. The positive experience even extended to a former resident, who, despite a temporary management issue, expressed a strong desire to "love to go back" and happiness living there, affirming the community's enduring appeal.

Furthermore, the comprehensive array of amenities caters perfectly to an active adult lifestyle. From a heated swimming pool and a well-equipped clubhouse to various sports facilities like a putting green, shuffleboard, and horseshoe pits, there's "always something to do." This promotes physical activity, social interaction, and a fulfilling daily routine. The convenient on-site RV and boat storage is an added practical benefit for Floridians who enjoy the state's abundant recreational opportunities on the water or on the road.

Finally, the strategic location in North Fort Myers provides the ideal balance between serene community living and access to Southwest Florida's vibrant attractions. Proximity to downtown Fort Myers, major highways, shopping, dining, and the stunning Gulf Coast beaches means residents can easily enjoy everything the region has to offer without feeling isolated.

In conclusion, Carriage Village offers a compelling package for Florida locals, particularly those aged 55 and above. Its unique ownership model, combined with a truly warm and active community, extensive amenities, and a convenient location, creates an environment where residents can thrive, build lasting friendships, and enjoy the best of the Florida lifestyle with peace of mind. It is, without a doubt, a community where you "will love it there too!"

Carriage Village

5451 Bayshore Rd, Fort Myers, FL 33917, USA